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CUSTOM FIFO BOARDS SOLUTIONS ENSURE YOU USE THE OLDEST MATERIALS FIRST WHEN IT COMES TO STOCK CONTROL
AN ESSENTIAL PART OF VISUAL CONTROL IN YOUR LEAN MANUFACTURING TOOLKIT
At Lean 5s Products, we design, fabricate and install FIFO boards to suit your workflow. Choose from various configurations and sizes.
A FIFO board typically refers to a “First In, First Out” (FIFO) board used in inventory management or production processes. It’s a tool or system used to ensure that items or materials are used or dispatched in the order they were received or produced.
In a manufacturing context, these boards usually visually displays the order in which items need to be produced or assembled. Similarly, in a warehousing or logistics context, they might track the movement of goods through a storage facility, ensuring that older stock is used or shipped out before newer stock.
FIFO boards can come in various formats—we find they work well as physical boards with parts like cards or tags representing items. Power isn’t required for these, and they’re quick and easy to get the hang of and update as you go.
A FIFO (First In, First Out) board is commonly used in industries like manufacturing, to manage inventory and ensure that products are used in conjunction with the order they were received.
Here’s a general guide on how to use a FIFO board effectively:
Understand the Concept: Before using a FIFO board, it’s important to understand the FIFO concept. FIFO means that the items that enter the system first are also the ones that are processed or used first. This ensures older items are not left unused or expire while newer items are used.
Set Up the Board: These boards typically consist of columns or rows representing different stages of processing or storage. Each column or row represents a specific step in the process.
Label the Columns or Rows: Label each column or row to indicate the different stages of the process. For example, if you’re managing inventory, the columns could be labelled as “Received,” “In Process,” “Quality Check,” and “Shipped.”
Add Items to the Board: As items are received, add them to the “Received” column or row of the FIFO board. Ensure that you place the newest items at the bottom or end of the column or row.
Move Items Along the Board: As items progress through the process, move them along the board to the next stage. For example, once an item has been processed, move it from the “Received” column to the “In Process” column.
Monitor and Update Regularly: Going forward, regularly monitor the FIFO board to ensure that items are moving through the process smoothly. Update the board as new items are received or as items progress through the process.
Continuous Improvement: Use the information gathered from the board to identify areas for improvement in your process. For example, if you notice bottlenecks at a certain stage, you can take steps to address them and improve efficiency.
Train Your Team: Make sure that everyone involved in the process understands how to use the FIFO board effectively. Provide training as needed and encourage communication to ensure smooth operations.
You’re welcome to get in contact with a member of our team for more information on how to use a FIFO board in your setting.
Once you’ve got a FIFO board, you won’t want to be without one again. For manufacturers, ensuring that your materials are used in the order that they were received means that:
Less time is spent searching for specific items.
Product quality is kept consistent by preventing the use of expired or deteriorated materials, reducing the likelihood of defects or product recalls.
10mm PVC Printed Board with either Magnetic Substrate and / or Dry Wipe Lamination
Set of 16 x Aluminium Guide Rails
20 x Double Sided Traffolyte 25mm Engraved Tags (Colour Coded)
Magnetic Strips in RED, BLUE & GREEN for stock control visual
4 x Storage Bins
16 x Magnetic Product Cards
Please note the above is for a standard configuration. If you have custom requirements that is not a problem, we can provide the system that fits your needs.
Our knowledgeable sales team is ready to advise you on best practices, ensuring you get the most out of your lean manufacturing processes. With a dedicated after-sales service, we support you long after the purchase, helping you achieve the organisation and productivity that Lean 5S promises.
If you have more questions on FIFO boards or how we can make them unique to your requirements, feel free to get in touch! Alternatively, take a look through our frequently asked question section below.
FIFO means ‘First In, First Out,’ which refers to the materials being used in the order that they were received—the first batch of materials in is also the first one out.
To implement FIFO, materials are arranged so that the oldest items are easily accessible and used first. FIFO boards help visualise and manage this process, providing a clear and organised system for tracking inventory levels.
To organise inventory for FIFO, start by clearly labelling all inventory with dates received. Arrange shelves or storage areas so that older items are at the front and newer items are at the back. Regularly rotate stock to keep the oldest items accessible. Using FIFO boards can greatly assist in this process by providing a visual guide to track inventory levels.